Lafayette's voice came from the balcony.
Maud looked around and saw Lafayette slowly landing on the balcony.
Lafayette folded his wings, looked at Maud, and said with a smile: "The princess from Dressrosa came to ask for an audience again."
"Oh? How many times has this happened?"
Maude raised her eyebrows slightly.
When they were brought to Dressrosa, they made it clear that killing all the pirates who were burning, killing, and looting on Dressrosa was just a small matter, and there was no need to do so. Any form of thanks.
Besides, the [reward] he wanted has already been obtained from Mansheli, and other than that, he no longer needs any return from the Dressrosa country.
In this case, Rebecca should focus on cleaning up the country's mess instead of insisting on seeing him.
"Hoo ho."
Hearing Maude's question, Lafayette said without hesitation: "Including today, this is already the ninth time."
“…”
Maude was speechless.
In order not to let the number of requests for an interview become the 10th, he finally chose to receive an interview.
Spacious and bright reception room.
Rebecca, who was dressed in casual clothes, looked a little nervous.
Call it intuition or impression.
She thought Maud was a very talkative man.
Although the outside world is widely rumored to be a cold-blooded and cruel butcher, Rebecca firmly believes that seeing is not as good as hearing.
But.
She still feels nervous and confused when she thinks about the reason for her visit today.
"Rebecca, don't put too much pressure on yourself."
Violet, who was also dressed in casual clothes, gently held Rebecca's hands that were twisted into a ball.
After this disaster, even if Dressrosa came back from the brink of death, it would be difficult for her to rise from the ashes.
Burnt buildings can be rebuilt.
But the dead cannot be resurrected.
In this fire that burned for days and nights, too many people died...
The army that was originally responsible for protecting the country also fell apart, leaving not even a bit of military strength left.
Violet and Rebecca were filled with grief when they thought of the countless victims, including close relatives.
But now they don't even have time to cry.
Because the current Dressrosa does not even have the ability to offer gold from the sky, so naturally it cannot expect protection from the World Government and Navy.
Therefore, they must build a new line of defense as soon as possible to resist threats that may come at any time.
But in a situation where military power is exhausted, this is not easy.
And Mod, who was still stranded in Dressrosa, became their last life-saving straw.
For this country, for the people who are in despair looking at their ruined homes.
Rebecca needs Maud's help no matter what.
Just as she was thinking wildly, a sound of footsteps came from outside the door of the reception room.
Hearing the footsteps, Rebecca and Violet subconsciously stood up and stood up straight, looking at the door of the reception room.
Crunch—
Maud pushed the door open and saw Violet and Rebecca standing up.
"sit."
The calm voice seemed to carry a command force that could not be resisted, causing Violet and Rebecca, who had just stood up, to subconsciously sit back on the sofa.
Maud came over and sat on the sofa in front of them.
"If it's something other than thanking you, just say it directly and don't waste my time."
After sitting down, Maude went straight to the point, very straightforwardly.
Rebecca, who had never encountered such a battle before, was a little unable to react for a moment.
Seeing Rebecca's rather slow reaction, Violet on the side was worried that Maud would lose her patience, so she decisively took over what Rebecca should have said.
"Lord Maud."
She spoke with words of honor.
This is a matter of course when facing a savior.
Then, just like Maude's completely non-circular opening remarks, Violet also came straight to the point.
"We... no, it is Dressrosa who needs your protection."
"oh?"
Maude glanced at Violet with a strange look in her eyes, and said calmly: "Why?"
Upon hearing this, Violet turned her head and glanced at Rebecca who turned off the engine, sighed in her heart, and then took a deep breath.
There are no free benefits in the world.
If you want something, you have to pay something.
But what benefits can the current dilapidated Dressrosa offer
All that can be promised is an uncertain future.
As her thoughts were spinning rapidly, Violet's expression gradually became serious.
"Whatever you need, Dressrosa will give you."
“…”
Hearing such loud words, Maude was silent for a moment, and then laughed.
"Before you seek refuge from me, you should also understand the nature of my 'flag', right?"
"Um."
Violet nodded heavily, naturally not saying something like "We have no choice" in a disgraceful way.
Maude's eyelids drooped slightly, and there was no wave in her tone: "So, does it not matter even if this place becomes a pirate country?"
"Compared to complete destruction, what is that kind of thing?"
The moment Maud finished speaking, Violet quickly gave a positive response.
Such a gesture undoubtedly shows determination.
And Maud also clearly felt this determination.
"Then I'll lend it to you."
Maud looked at Violet with a smile.
Just lending the flag to a country that is on the verge of extinction and providing asylum to this country is not a big deal to Mod today.
But he was so decisive not entirely out of good intentions, but because of the woman in front of him.
To be more precise, it is this woman's ability.
"But I have a condition, and I also need to remind you of something."
"What conditions?"
Violet simply ignored the second half of the sentence.
In her opinion, as long as Maud is willing to put forward conditions, everything will be easy.
Maude smiled and said: "I want to be alone."
"who?"
Violet asked.
From the beginning of the conversation until now, she had been matching Maude's conversational style and concise her words as much as possible.
Maud raised her finger and pointed at Violet.
"you."
"ah?"
Violet was stunned for a moment, and a look of astonishment slowly appeared on her exotic face.
Rebecca, who remained speechless, was just as stunned as Violet.
They had imagined various conditions that Dressrosa could not afford at this stage, but they did not expect that the man with extraordinary courage in front of them would actually make such a request.
Maud didn't care at all about their reactions or whether they misunderstood something. She sat on the sofa, holding hands and waiting for Violet's answer.
Just a few seconds passed.
The look of shock on Violet's face faded like a tide, replaced by a bright and moving smile.
now.
She was so happy that it was beyond words.
For the country that gave birth to her and raised her, and for her own little thoughts.
Even if it means becoming Maud's slave, she is willing to do so.
"No problem at all."
Violet met Maud's gaze and agreed to the condition without hesitation.
At the same time, from Maud's eyes without any desire, she vaguely guessed Maud's motive for wanting her.
It's ability.
The detection and monitoring ability of the staring fruit.
Violet, who understood this, felt even more excited.
Just like this, Dressrosa can get a strong protection, which is really wonderful.
It was so happy that Violet thought it was a dream.
because.
She would have been willing to follow a man like Maud.
It can not only fulfill wishes, but also save the country.
It's really great.
But before Violet was happy, Maud poured a basin of cold water on her.
"I have to remind you of something. My enemies include behemoths like the World Government, and the merciless Yonko Pirates like the Hundred Beasts. In other words..."
"My 'flag' will protect Dressrosa from threats from most pirates, but it will also attract the attention of the World Government and the Yonko Pirates."
Maud's friendly reminder made Violet and Rebecca's faces freeze.
so…
Is this a good thing or a bad thing
Maud looked at Violet and Rebecca who were stunned, and smiled: "But there is a place that should be safe. As long as Dressrosa is moved there, there should be no need to worry about any threats in the short term."
"where?"
Violet and Rebecca asked subconsciously.
They didn't even hear clearly Mod's shocking words about moving Dressrosa.
Maud raised her index finger and pointed upward.
"Sky."